About the review
The National Registration and Accreditation Scheme was established in 2009 as a single regulatory model for registered health practitioners in Australia.
The NRAS has changed since 2010. Recommendations from 25 previous reviews and parliamentary inquiries aimed to continuously improve it over time.
In early 2023, the public raised concerns about inconsistent practices. As a result, Commonwealth, state and territory health ministers agreed to an independent review of the NRAS.
The review process involved consultation with stakeholders to make sure the NRAS continues to support high-quality and safe health services.
Terms of reference
Health ministers approved the terms of reference for the review.
Independent review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme – Terms of Reference
Why the review is important
The review recommendations will:
- keep in step with community expectations
- improve how the NRAS makes decisions and deals with complaints about health practitioners
- consider how the NRAS can expand and grow to meet future needs
- advise on how strategy and direction will be set for the NRAS in the future.
Independent reviewer
Ms Sue Dawson was appointed as the independent reviewer in April 2024.
Ms Dawson most recently held the position of New South Wales Health Care Complaints Commissioner. She has also worked in senior roles in the NSW and Commonwealth public sectors for:
- income support
- school funding
- employment policy and programs.
She has qualifications in law, social work and urban planning. Her formal training in public sector policy, regulation and service delivery includes completing the Executive Fellows program at the Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
She brought her extensive experience and knowledge of health regulation in Australia to the review.
Key timeframes
The review process involved 4 phases:
- research and analysis
- preparing the first consultation paper, including evidence, questions and possible solutions
- consultation including submissions and stakeholder forums
- identification of preferred solutions in a second consultation paper and targeted consultation.
The final report for the review was presented to Health Ministers for consideration in July 2025.
View text description and larger image of 'Independent review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme – Project Phases' graphic
Have your say
The final report for the review is now complete and was presented to Health Ministers for consideration in July 2025.
The review process involved two rounds of consultation following release of Consultation Papers 1 and 2. The extensive feedback received throughout the process has been invaluable in shaping the direction of the review and refining the reform options presented by the Independent Reviewer in the final report.
Consultation papers
Consultation Paper 2: Consultation Outcomes and Reform Directions
Consultation Paper 1: Review of complexity in the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme
Stakeholder submissions
Stakeholder submissions to the Review are available on the Consultation Hub.
Updates
NRAS Complexity Review updates
Contact
